Hiring a Home Caregiver – Interview Questions
Selecting your professional home caregiver may seem like a daunting and confusing task. The following information will help guide you effectively through the process.
Remember that Cindy is available for coaching calls should you feel like you need further guidance. The reality is that one session can help you, not only with your questions, but also with your personal power around the issue. This is foreign land for most of us and receiving some professional coaching can really be of help.
- Before you begin: Decide what activities you will need assistance with.
- Prepare a plan of care based on the results of the assessment.
- Conduct the interview with the agency and/or the individual caregiver in the home where the caregiver will be employed.
- Make your decision but also be clear that if it’s not a good match, you can change caregivers at any time.
Agency Interview Questions
Home agencies find workers, screen them, monitor their work and hopefully train them in basic caregiver duties. They provide care from a few hours a day or week up to 24 hours per day. They have caregivers who perform all different levels of skill, from personal care to skilled nursing to specialized rehabilitation therapy. Many also have workers who simply assist with meal preparation to help around the house. Just as you would shop for a doctor, lawyer or accountant, you must also carefully screen a home agency. They are not all created equal. Ask for recommendations from the hospital social worker, discharge planner or friends for referrals. If possible, plan in advance. Make phone calls, set up appointments and ask the tough questions. Be extremely clear about the costs. Read the fine print of the contract. If you are uncertain of the cost of something, ask and make sure all your questions are answered. This initial work will save you hours of needless frustration. Use these questions when interviewing a home health agency.
1. What is your background in caregiving or home health agencies? (Very important that you are satisfied with the answer.)
2. What services does your company provide?
3. How much advance notice is required to obtain help?
4. What is the cost for the services we require?
5. What is the cost for the services should the level of care need to be increased?
6. Is there a daily minimum of hours that we are required to obtain?
7. Are there extra charges that might arise?
8. How much is the hourly rate on holidays?
9. Is your agency certified to receive Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement?
10. Does your agency process the paperwork for these organizations?
11. Do any long-term care insurance companies certify your agency?
12. Does your agency process the paperwork for the insurance company?
13. Who oversees your workers?
14. If I have a problem with a caregiver, should I address the issue or should I contact your agency?
15. Is someone on call 24 hours a day in case of an emergency?
16. Who do I contact in case a worker doesn’t show up for work?
17. What is the experience of your workers?
18. Do you require a certain amount of previous experience?
19. Do your workers receive any special training?
20. What tasks will my caregiver be able to do?
21. Is your agency licensed and bonded? (Ask to see this paperwork.)
22. Am I required to carry extra liability insurance?
23. Does your agency provide workman’s compensation so I’m not liable in case someone is injured on the job? (This is vitally important. The last place you want to end up is in Workman’s Compensation Court. Trust us. IT HAPPENS FAR TOO FREQUENTLY.)
24. Have you checked the caregiver’s references?
25. May I get the references so I can check as well?
If you can receive answers to these questions, you will be well on your way to selecting a really solid home care agency. If, for some reason, the person who you are interviewing balks at any of these questions, end the interview and move on to the next company. Pay attention to your instincts.
